From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Persistent engine noise complaint on a Phantom, chassis 89-DC, for customer Lt. Col. Peacock.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\1\ Scan372 | |
| Date | 12th November 1926 | |
| To BJ. from Hm. {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} C. to Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} C. to C. C. to EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} C. to H. {Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} C. to Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C. to MX. {John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} X417 Hm {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} 1Q/W12.11.26. Chassis No. 89-DC - Lt. Col. Peacock, Burley Lawn, Burley, Hants. We have now had this car at the Works since the 25th. October last, in order to try and overcome the slight taps which can be heard at certain speeds from the Engine. All our experiments up to now have failed and the customer is constantly enquiring as to when he can have the car back. Judging from his letters he has formed the impression that this noise is a characteristic of the Phantom Engine. He has probably formed this impression because his first Engine had it, and we changed the Engine, and the second Engine had it to a slightly less degree. Before sending his car to us this last time Col. Peacock gave us time to choose from the Engines going through Test an Engine on which this fault did not exist. We have been unable to find one which is entirely free from this trouble, but we have chosen one which is the best of the lot. However, in comparing this Engine with his own when tested in a chassis, we find it is no improvement on the one at the present time fitted in his car, and therefore we think that if we change the Engine again it will rather confirm his impression that this complaint exists in all Phantom cars. At the moment we are completely at a loss to know how to deal with this case. It should be borne in mind that the noise complained of in this car is at the least very small, and we do not think that 1% of our customers would ever notice it. Moreover, to overcome this trouble will most probably mean a good deal of research work which may cover some months of experimenting. Col. Peacock has been very nice and patient about it, although he is undoubtedly a faddist. It would therefore, seem reasonable to suggest that Cr. {Mr Cra???ster / Mr Chichester} pays him a visit, and to some extent admit that it is a tiny characteristic of the Phantom Engine from which we are convinced no harm will ever develop, and that we are carrying out experiments with a view to completely curing same. These Contd. | ||